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Course Syllabus FIN 6315

Course Information
Course Number/Section FIN 6315-501
Course Title ENTREPRENEURIAL FINANCE
Term Fall 2008
Days & Times Wednesdays, 7:00-9:45 PM
Location SOM 2.117

Professor Contact Information


Professor David J. Springate, Ph.D.
Office Phone 972-883-2647
Email Address spring8@utdallas.edu
Office Location SOM 2.610
Office Hours By appointment

Co-Instructor Contact Information


Co-Instructor Elizabeth Jones, MBA,
Executive in Residence
Office Phone 972-883-5909
Email Address elizabeth.jones@utdallas.edu
Office Hours By appointment

Administrative Contact Information


Administrative Assistant Debbie Davis
Office Phone 972-883-5941
Email Address debbie.davis@utdallas.edu
Office Location SOM 2.415

Course Description
Key Features of the Course

There are several distinguishing features of this course:

• We will emphasize relevant theory.


• We will stress use of cases in class.
• We will bias our presentations and course coverage toward the current entrepreneurial finance practices and
patterns in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This includes emphasis on venture capital financing.
• We will weekly bring in visitors from the regional financial and entrepreneurial community as speakers. This will
add considerably to the coverage of various topics. It will also bring in more and different points of view.
• We will include coverage of domestic and international entrepreneurial finance.

Conduct of the Course

We will explore topics though class discussion of real case situations faced by entrepreneurs and financiers,
contributions by outside experts and instructor-led discussion. Approximately equal time will be given each week to
concepts and frameworks, case discussion, and visitor presentations.

Course Topics

The fifteen classes are divided into four course sections:

1. In the Overview section we will:


• Review concepts of valuation for entrepreneurial ventures and possible funding sources for them.
• Discuss types of investments and planning horizons.
• Introduce tools for analysis.
Course Syllabus FIN 6315 / ENTP 6315
Dr. David Springate and Elizabeth F. Jones
Revised 8/27/2008
Page 1
2. In the Opportunity Assessment and Creation section we will:
• Consider opportunities from the point of view of the founder, management team and funder.
• Revisit valuation concepts.
• Model opportunities.
• Consider relevant capital structures.
• Value options.

3. In the Venture Capital Funding and Valuation section we will:


• Examine VC funding and how it works.
• Consider funding rounds and the business of funding.
• Consider the challenges of managing and funding growth.
• Discuss term sheets and the concept of Due Diligence.

4. In the Growth and Exit Strategies section we will:


• Consider liquidity events such as Initial Public Offerings, sales and mergers.
• Examine later stage financing, including mezzanine financing and buy-outs.
• Consider international growth.

See the attached class schedule for details. Please note that although we will have many speakers in class, you will be
provided with clarifying details as the course evolves. Due to scheduling constraints of potential speakers, we need the
flexibility this affords. We do expect to have a cross-section of professionals including entrepreneurs, valuation experts,
financial officers, early stage investors, buy-out firms, later stage investors, C-level officers, and corporate fund
managers.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

The objectives of the course are to build your skills, frameworks and knowledge in entrepreneurial finance. The skills
and frameworks are similar to those employed in traditional corporate finance, but are, of necessity, more focused on
cash flow, returns and recognizable value. The context of entrepreneurial finance is different than that of traditional
corporate finance. Most companies are at a relatively early stage of maturity and, by definition, are not publicly listed on
exchanges. Entrepreneurial Finance is of growing importance every year, both domestically and internationally. The
specific course aims are to improve your capacity to:

• Recognize an opportunity worthy of financing.


• Value an opportunity.
• Understand the difference between the funder’s perspectives and those of the company being financed.
• Appreciate the difference between venture capital, private equity, early stage and traditional financing sources.
• Approach a venture capital source and present your idea.
• Use different financing techniques.
• Understand the importance of options
• Use strategic partnering
• Operate internationally

Although we will include some coverage of private equity topics, specifically Venture Capital management issues, the
coverage of private equity will not be complete. More complete coverage of these topics is given in the Private Equity
Funds Management course.

Required Textbooks and Materials

We will use a textbook and a package of 16 business school notes and cases. Both are normally available in the
campus bookstores and the off-campus bookstores. You will need them to proceed in the course. The book that we
have chosen to use for reading and reference is Entrepreneurial Finance by Leach and Melicher,3 rd edition.

Course Syllabus FIN 6315 / ENTP 6315


Dr. David Springate and Elizabeth F. Jones
Revised 8/27/2008
Page 2
List of cases and notes:

Harvard Business School

9-200-046 Martin Smith: May 2000


9-201-037 NetFlix.com, Inc.
9-288-006 A Method for Valuing High Risk, Long-Term Investments
9-297-046 The Fojtasek Companies and Heritage Partners: March 1998
9-298-071 NSK Software Technologies Ltd.
9-396-067 Pathfinder Capital
9-801-167 Return Logic, Inc. (A)
9-803-080 Epicentric
9-807-139 Zoots – Financing Growth (A)
9-808-048 Pinnacle Ventures
9-808-069 D2Hawkeye: Growing the Medical IT Enterprise
9-808-070 TH!NK: The Norwegian Electric Car Company
9-898-162 Beta Golf
9-898-188 The Band of Angels

Stanford Graduate School of Business

E214 EndoNav
E243 KongZhong: Growth in a Dynamic Environment

Course Syllabus FIN 6315 / ENTP 6315


Dr. David Springate and Elizabeth F. Jones
Revised 8/27/2008
Page 3
Assignments & Academic Calendar

Course
Week Date Topics/Investors Visitor Assigned Case Lecture Concepts Readings
Section
• Course setup
Overview of
• Course/topic definitions. • Data on VC
1 8/27 Entrepreneurial None NSK Software LM 1, 13
• Financing choices for start ups • Early needs and
Finance Technologies Ltd.
resources
2 9/3 • Major valuation, risk management, and Speaker 1 Martin Smith: May 2000 LM 2, 3
planning concepts • Financial statements
3 9/10 • Types of investments and funding Speaker 2 NetFlix.com, Inc. • Financing needs LM 4
sources • Business and financial
Opportunity
• Tools for analysis plans
4 9/17 Assessment Speaker 3 EndoNav LM 5
• Valuation concepts • Cash flow valuation
and Creation
• Business/financial plans frameworks
5 9/24 • Capital structures Speaker 4 Pathfinder Capital • Valuation LM 6
• Sources of funding Options have value
6 10/1 • Decision horizons Speaker 5 The Band of Angels LM 7

”High Risk,
• How it works
7 10/8 Speaker 6 Beta Golf Long-Term
• Funding rounds
• VC mechanics Investments”
• Professional management vs.
founders • Financing stages of
8 10/15 Venture Capital Speaker 7 LM 9
Return Logic, Inc (A) growth
Funding and • The business of funding
• Required rates of return
Valuation • Term sheets
9 10/22 Speaker 8 Epicentric for venture capital LM 10
• Due Diligence
• Funding stages
10 10/29 • Venture Lending Speaker 9 Pinnacle Ventures LM 12

D2Hawkeye: Growing
11 11/5 Speaker 10 LM 11
the Medical IT Enterprise
• Challenges of managing and funding • Advanced funding
growth The Fojtasek Companies needs
12 11/12 • International growth Speaker 11 and Heritage Partners: • Valuation LM 14
• Liquidity events, exit strategies March 1995 • Public offerings
Growth and Exit
13 11/19 Strategies • Initial Public Offerings Speaker 12
KongZhong: Growth in a • International VC LM 15
• Mergers, sales Dynamic Environment • Value to be gained
• Technology transfer • Corporate
14 11/26 • I.P. acquisitions Speaker 13 I. P. Simulation Game Entrepreneurship LM 8
• Corporate and strategic venture funds • R&D Commercialization
15 12/3 Speaker 14 Heely’s

16 12/17 Final Exam

First paper assigned Sep 24, due Oct 8: Zoots – Financing Growth (A). Second paper assigned Nov 5, due Nov 19: TH!NK: The
Norwegian Electric Car Company
Course Syllabus FIN 6315 / ENTP 6315
Dr. David Springate and Elizabeth F. Jones
Revised 8/27/2008
Page 4
Grading Policy
Deliverables

You will be judged on class discussion of topics and cases and on your questions for visitors. Other deliverables
include individual written analysis of two cases, a team presentation in class and a final exam. Under some
circumstances a paper may be substituted for the second written case analysis. See instructor.

WebCT will be used as a means of class communication including weekly evaluations. Group discussion areas will be
provided through this media.

Evaluation

Class discussion, participation 40%


and case analysis
Two individual written case analyses 40%
Final examination 20%
100%

Course Policies

Make-up exams
These are possible only in exceptional circumstances. Seek the instructor’s approval in advance.
Extra Credit/Special Assignments
Extra credit is possible if the course objectives are advanced. Please see the instructor.
Late Work
All work should be submitted even if late. Penalties may apply.
Class Attendance
Grades depend, in part, on attendance. You are expected to be in class.
Classroom Citizenship
Participation calls for due respect of classmates and the instructors. Do not embarrass yourself. Come prepared to
class with required readings and case preparation completed.

Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and regulations for the orderly and
efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility of each student and each student organization to be
knowledgeable about the rules and regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on
student conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is provided to all registered
students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of recognized and established
due process. Procedures are defined and described in the Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University
of Texas System, Part 1, Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the
Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and
regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. He or she is
expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and
administrative rules. Students are subject to discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct
takes place on or off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic honesty. Because the value of an
academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative
that a student demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Course Syllabus FIN 6315 / ENTP 6315


Dr. David Springate and Elizabeth F. Jones
Revised 8/27/2008
Page 5
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions related to applications for
enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a
general rule, scholastic dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or falsifying
academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from any other source is
unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This
course will use the resources of turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90%
effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication between faculty/staff and
students through electronic mail. At the same time, email raises some issues concerning security and the identity of
each individual in an email exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent
only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email from students official only if it
originates from a UTD student account. This allows the university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the
identity of all individual corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each student
with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university personnel. The Department of
Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other
accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level courses. These dates and
times are published in that semester's course catalog. Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's
responsibility to handle withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, instructors cannot drop or withdraw
any student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final grade of "F" in a course if
you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities, of the university’s
Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other fulfillments of academic
responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor,
supervisor, administrator, or committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and evaluations. If the matter cannot be
resolved at that level, the grievance must be submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s
School Dean. If the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the student may
submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved by the School Dean’s decision, the
student may make a written appeal to the Dean of Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint
and convene an Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The results of the
academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff
members are available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably missed at the semester’s end
and only if 70% of the course work has been completed. An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8)
weeks from the first day of the subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove
the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is changed automatically to a
grade of F.

Course Syllabus FIN 6315 / ENTP 6315


Dr. David Springate and Elizabeth F. Jones
Revised 8/27/2008
Page 6
Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational opportunities equal to those of their
non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and
Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:


The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable adjustments necessary to eliminate
discrimination on the basis of disability. For example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against
tape recorders or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an assignment
requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an oral presentation for a student who is
hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible
facilities. The college or university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or mobility
assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an accommodation. Disability
Services provides students with letters to present to faculty members to verify that the student has a disability and
needs accommodations. Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required activities for the travel to and
observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section
11.20, Tax Code, Texas Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible regarding the absence,
preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the
assignment within a reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a maximum
of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed exam or assignment may not be
penalized for the absence. A student who fails to complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may
receive a failing grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the purpose of observing a religious
holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete
any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling from the chief
executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief executive officer or designee must take into
account the legislative intent of TEC 51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief
executive officer or designee.

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law and University policies and
procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities. Information regarding these rules and regulations may be
found at the website address given below. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
www.utdallas.edu/businessaffairs/risk/

Course Syllabus FIN 6315 / ENTP 6315


Dr. David Springate and Elizabeth F. Jones
Revised 8/27/2008
Page 7

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